Ontario Trails News - 5 great places to ski in Durham

Learn more about Ontario's Cross Country Ski Trails

Nov 22, 2014 | Vote0   0

Five places to cross country ski in Durham

Long Sault Conservation Area

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

CLARINGTON -- Sue Duncan hit the cross-country ski trails with her family at the Long Sault Conservation Area. January 19, 2014.

DurhamRegion.com

DURHAM -- Motorists may disagree, but those who enjoy strapping wood to their feet and then sliding around the countryside are waiting with bated breath for the snow to start falling.

There are plenty of places in Durham Region where someone can channel their inner Scandinavian and fill their lungs with cold air while cross country skiing. Here are five locations in the region to partake of this winter exercise.

1. Dagmar Ski Resort

This popular Uxbridge resort is a winter wonderland, offering not only cross country skiing, but downhill skiing as well. Those new to the sport can rent equipment and take lessons. The resort offers a variety of passes -- individual, family, 10-day and single day.

2. Ganaraska Forest

The Ganaraska Forest Centre has it all. There are more than 35 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails for the novice and advanced skier, and the trails will challenge all skiers. The forest isn’t in Durham, but on the border with Northumberland, on Cold Springs Camp Road, north of Thertell Road.

3. Long Sault Conservation Area Port Perry 18 km 2/5

The Long Sault Conservation Area is in northern Clarington, just down the road from the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. There are 18 kilometres of trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. It should be noted the trails are not groomed. Also, the trails are multi-use, so skiers and hikers could be on the trail at the same time. It’s at 9293 Woodley Rd, off of Regional Road 20, near the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

4. Greenwood Conservation Area Ajax 6 km

Country right next to the city. Anyone wanting to try six kilometres of skiing won’t find a better place. Ontario Trails gives a two out of five for degree of difficulty. There is no place to rent skis, so anyone wanting to go will have to bring their own.

5. Trans-Canada Trail Claremont 20 km 2/5

It’s on Regional Road 5, east of the Hamlet of Claremont in north Pickering. There are 20 kilometres of trails and according to Ontario Trails, they carry a degree of difficulty of two out of five.

Trailhead Ontario June 19 2012, Day 2

DAY 2 – Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Location: Elm Hurst Inn and Country Spa and Off-site

Time	Planned Program	Planned Program
9:00 – 10:30am	SAY YES to Trails This plenary session will provide examples from trail leaders who have achieved trail development in the face of competing challenges. Bring your local clerk and a counsellor! This session will teach them about the value of trails and why,  SAYING YES to TRAILS works for these communities and how they can say it more at home! Opening Remarks - Warden Don McKay, Zorra-Tavistock Invited Speakers: Kathryn Kielstra, Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Chatham-Kent Jay Cranstone, B.Sc., MLA,  O.A.L.A, C.S.L.A., Senior Landscape Architect, MMM Group Richard Hui, Transportation and Community Planning, York Region Moderator: Damian Bradley, Ontario Trails Council the new Ontario Recreational Policy and it’s impact on Trails – The re-alignment of tourism destination marketing organizations and their implementation of a trail tourism economy inspired sessions on Trail Tourism – bring your Town Clerk and a Staff to our roundtable. A must session for elected officials and staff. Understand the importance of trails to your community.  They will learn about the economic, health, and social benefits of trails, how to create jobs, safer communities and have a healthier population when they SAY YES to TRAILS!
10:40-12:00am	Rouge Park – Canada’s First Urban Wilderness Park Invited Speakers: Diana Smyth, Trail Coordinator, Rouge Park Mike Bender, Manager of Conservation Lands, Toronto Region Conservation Authority Louis Lavoie, Manager, External Relations, Parks Canada Bob Barnett, Executive Director, Escarpment Biosphere Reserve Moderator: Cathy Bingham, Director, Carolinian Canada Coalition We heard about the challenges and opportunities of creating an urban wilderness park.We heard from Diana about on the ground developments, from Mike about the policy implications of managing a wilderness park in an urban area, from Louis about support from the national level as we discussed the unique aspects of this wilderness in an urban setting. Bob assisted by providing a review   of this park development in a provincial context.
1:00 – 3:00pm	Trails Tourism – A cohesive RTO approach Invited Speakers: Beth Potter, Executive Director, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario Jeff Bangs, Trillium Trails and Ontario Tourism Laura Peddie, Explorers Edge, RTO12 Trails Tourism Report Dan Andrews, Our Favorite Place, RTO8 Trails Tourism Napier Simpson, RTO 4 Moderator: Cathy Bingham, Oxford County Trails Council Working with leading trails and tourism experts the panel explored the variation in trail tourism products across Ontario. We also introduced various trail products, assessments, valuations and development from the national support, provincial Ministry support and RTO resourcing levels. All 13 RTO’s are different. Not all regions provide similar products or services. We agreed to work with partners to develop a more cohesive response to trails tourism in Ontario!
6:00 – 9:00pm	Trails Training and Skill Development with Direct Bearing @ Carriage House An excellent first evening, providing a legal and legislative overview to trails management in Ontario.

Trailhead Ontario starts 3PM Today!

Great Trails - Great People - June 17-20, 2012

Program Updates - Please register for the Trail Tour - Sunday at 3pm! E-mail Wayne Remarks from Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Opening Remarks from Mayors of Oxford County and Town of Ingersoll National Panel on Trails, with comments from Canadian Trail Federation and National Trails Coalition We understand the Assistant Deputy Minister for Ministry of Tourism Recreation and Sprot, Mr. Phil Malcolmson will be joining us for the full day June 19th. Welcome Mr. Malcolmson we look forward to working with you on the Ontario Trails Strategy We welcome Mr. Louis Lavoie, from Parks Canada where his position is Manager, Vice President Office, External Relations and Visitor Experience. He will be joining us on June 18th. A working session moving Ontario Towards a Provincial Cycling Strategy We are pleased to announce that Mr. Bob Barnett of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy will be providing his insights as part of the Rouge Valley Panel on the 19th. OTC is pleased to acknowledge the participation of Mr. Jeff Bangs as part of the Trails Tourism Panel - Jeff brings years of networking and TTN Trail Business Plan expertise to the table. Trailhead Ontario is grateful for the Participation of Explorer's Edge and RTO8 as additions to the Trails Tourism Panel. We look forward to the insights of both these areas as we work to craft a cohesive response to trails tourism in Ontario. 1.5 days of Training in Trails Risk Management with Direct Bearing! We are also pleased to welcome staff from the York Region Planing Department as they are talking about their new 100km road bike trail development. Did you register for Trailhead Ontario yet? If not be sure to see all the great content through the following links PROGRAM SESSION DETAILS FEEDBACK REGISTER  Cathy Bingham and Wayne Daub, Oxford County Trails Committee - Your Trailhead Ontario 2012 Hosts -  invite you to view: Oxford County Trails Oxford County on Facebook! Like us Watch Trailhead Ontario for updates!

Trails Education Courses 2012

Trail Education Courses -  23 Sessions and Counting We have it all - 14 modules - and soon On-Line! Book Today.

Course Calendar  - click the link on the course name to download the flyer for that course!
Course Descriptions 

Register - click on your choice, register on-line

Website

Facebook

Courses are for information and knowledge exchange purposes only. All courses are offered on a first come first serve basis. Instructors reserve the right to limit class sizes. Courses may be offered more than once in the calendar year. Some minimum student levels are necessary to run certain courses, so offered courses may change without notice.

Ontario Trails Council Annual General Meeting - June 18th, 1200 Noon at Trailhead Ontario. We need 12 for quorum. Please be sure to attend. We are also seeking nominations from 6 candidates to our Board. For information call Patrick at 877-668-7245.

Great Trails - Great People - June 17-20, 2012

Program Updates - Please register for the Trail Tour - Sunday at 3pm! E-mail Wayne Remarks from Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Opening Remarks from Mayors of Oxford County and Town of Ingersoll National Panel on Trails, with comments from Canadian Trail Federation and National Trails Coalition We understand the Assistant Deputy Minister for Ministry of Tourism Recreation and Sprot, Mr. Phil Malcolmson will be joining us for the full day June 19th. Welcome Mr. Malcolmson we look forward to working with you on the Ontario Trails Strategy We welcome Mr. Louis Lavoie, from Parks Canada where his position is Manager, Vice President Office, External Relations and Visitor Experience. He will be joining us on June 18th. A working session moving Ontario Towards a Provincial Cycling Strategy We are pleased to announce that Mr. Bob Barnett of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy will be providing his insights as part of the Rouge Valley Panel on the 19th. OTC is pleased to acknowledge the participation of Mr. Jeff Bangs as part of the Trails Tourism Panel - Jeff brings years of networking and TTN Trail Business Plan expertise to the table. Trailhead Ontario is grateful for the Participation of Explorer's Edge and RTO8 as additions to the Trails Tourism Panel. We look forward to the insights of both these areas as we work to craft a cohesive response to trails tourism in Ontario. 1.5 days of Training in Trails Risk Management with Direct Bearing! We are also pleased to welcome staff from the York Region Planing Department as they are talking about their new 100km road bike trail development. Did you register for Trailhead Ontario yet? If not be sure to see all the great content through the following links PROGRAM SESSION DETAILS FEEDBACK REGISTER  Cathy Bingham and Wayne Daub, Oxford County Trails Committee - Your Trailhead Ontario 2012 Hosts -  invite you to view: Oxford County Trails Oxford County on Facebook! Like us Watch Trailhead Ontario for updates!

Trails Education Courses 2012

Trail Education Courses -  23 Sessions and Counting We have it all - 14 modules - and soon On-Line! Book Today.

Course Calendar  - click the link on the course name to download the flyer for that course!
Course Descriptions 

Register - click on your choice, register on-line

Website

Facebook

Courses are for information and knowledge exchange purposes only. All courses are offered on a first come first serve basis. Instructors reserve the right to limit class sizes. Courses may be offered more than once in the calendar year. Some minimum student levels are necessary to run certain courses, so offered courses may change without notice.

Ontario Trails Council Annual General Meeting - June 18th, 1200 Noon at Trailhead Ontario. We need 12 for quorum. Please be sure to attend. We are also seeking nominations from 6 candidates to our Board. For information call Patrick at 877-668-7245.